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2024 MLB Draft PNW Preview - What to Watch For

July 14, 2024
Philip Roe & PNW Staff

The 2024 MLB draft starts today at 4 PM pst and will cover 74 total picks across rounds 1, 2 as well as the compensatory rounds, competitive balance rounds and promotion incentive selections. 

Day 2 on Monday will cover rounds 3-10 and the conclude with Day 3 and rounds 11-20 on Tuesday. While the Pacific Northwest has recently seen some Day 1 picks from the HS ranks over the last few years with the likes of Corbin Carroll (WA), Mick Abel (OR), JR Ritchie (WA), Jackson Cox (WA), Noble Meyer (OR)...this year isn't quite as dominant towards the top. Rather, there could be some HS names that come off the board throughout Day 2 specficially as well as college drafts in the final 2 days. 

For this article we are focusing strictly on prospects with WA and OR high school roots. 

HS Prospects to Watch

'24 RHP Zach Swanson, Toutle Lake HS (WA)
Swanson averaged over two strikeouts per inning this season with 111 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings pitched. These numbers went along with his 1.66 ERA and 6-1 record. He also batted .461 with 27 RBIs, 34 R, 9 2B, and 2 HR. The long standing #1 prospect in Washington for the class. Swanson was a bit up and down at times this spring then caught some momentum in the early summer. Remains to be seen how the industry views the hard throwing righty at this point but he seems very likely to come off the board on Day 2. Oregon State commit

'24 OF Jackson Hotchkiss, Battle Ground HS (WA)
Put his name on the map nationally last summer with a big performance at Area Codes where he showcased his exciting combination of size, speed and power. This spring, hit .397 with 3 homers, 4 doubles, and 3 triples to go along with 19 runs batted in at the plate. Attended the MLB Draft Combine in June. Has the potential to be an early Day 2 selection. Washington commit. 

'24 SS Adam Haight, Cedar Park Christian HS (WA)
Emerald Sound Player of the Year. In 27 games Haight hit .431 AVG this season, .556 OBP, 1.278 OPS, in a campaign that included 31 hits, 13 extra-base hits, 4 home runs, 31 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases. On the mound he was 5-1 W-L, with a 0.88 ERA and 52 K's in 31 2/3 innings pitched. Gained significant momentum this spring as a hitting prospect and while there is 2-way potentail, the offensive ceiling has superceded the pitching at this point. He still carries a plus arm capable of touching 90+ on the mound but his hitting this spring has carried him into middle of Day 2 potential. Oregon State commit. 

'24 LHP Karsten Sweum, Glacier Peak HS (WA)
The heart and soul of a Glacier Peak squad that fell one game short on the state 4A playoffs, Sweum finished the season with an impressive 76 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings. Recorded a 4-2 record with a 0.79 ERA and held batters to a .085 batting average. Across multiple starts, Swuem pitched in the 87-92 mph range with his FB with SL 80-82, CB 76-77 and occasional CH 83-84. He had a steady following all year and could potentially land somewhere later on in Day 2. Gonzaga commit

'24 C Ryan VandenBrink, West Linn HS (OR)
A four-year starter and Oregon State commit, VandenBrink has been a key cog in 3 straight 6A state championships for West Linn. This season he was the Oregonian/Oregon Live's baseball player of the year for the state, along with being awarded Three Rivers League Player of the Year. Batted .429 AVG with 7 home runs, 2 triples, and 7 doubles, along with 27 runs batted in and 35 runs scored.  For the season, VandenBrink only struck out 6 times in 100+ plate appearances this season. Defensively, VandenBrink committed just 4 errors in 32 games, with 288 putouts, 19 assists, and 13 caught stealing. The #1 player in the 2024 class for several years running. Seems on track to end up on campus with Oregon State but given the pedigree, positional profile & following he had this spring, there is some potential to hear his name called. 

'24 RHP Gabe Howard, West Linn HS (OR)
Aside from throwing a complete game to win West Linn's third straight state championship game, Howard was 11-1 on the season with a 2.19 ERA; allowing 42 hits and only 12 walks in 67 innings, while striking out an even 100. He was OSAA 6A Pitcher of the Year. In our early spring look, Howard topped 90-91 in March while commanding a tight SL at 78-82. Possesses a quality CH at 77-80 but sparingly needs it. Size, arm action and athleticism bodes well for overall command long-term. #2 player in the class. Oregon commit. 

'24 1B Kayle Pisano, Clackamas HS (OR)
#3 player in the class.  Pisano was a huge riser in 2023 after a breakout performance at a winter Preseason ID and then carried that into an All-State season as a junior. In the summer, he performed well at Area Codes and showcased a powerful left-handed stroke to go with size and athleticism. While he seems likely to get to campus, left-handed prep bats with power are always in the mix to come off the board. Oregon commit. 

Trio of Portland Arms

The Pilots had an impressive weekend rotation this spring highlighted by 3 prospects from the OR high school ranks who made significant jumps since they got on campus. 

RHP Nick Brink, Cleveland HS (OR) / University of Portland
Brink posted a 3.35 ERA over 3 college seasons at UP. He went an impressive 17-4 over 166 2/3 innings. Brink also threw the 2021 summer with the Portland Pickles, throwing 25 1/3 innings and posting a 2.84 ERA. Potential Day 2 arm. 

RHP Sam Stuhr, Madison HS (OR) / University of Portland
After throwing 10 2/3 innings with the Corvallis Knights in 2021 to a 3.38 ERA, Stuhr found his groove this season after transferring to the University of Portland. Stuhr threw 80 innings this year for the Pilots and held a 11.3 strikeouts per 9 innings clip. He works with a mid to upper 90s FB to go along with a power SL. Day 2 arm. 

RHP Joey Gartrell, Canby HS (OR) / University of Portland
A former 2x PNW ProCase participant, Gartrell came into the spring as a weekend arm after a strong sophomore campaign. Although his season was cut short with an arm injury, there is a chance someone takes a flier on him. 

College Prospects

RHP Bridger Holmes, North Bend HS (OR) / Oregon State University
After finishing at North Bend HS in '21, Holmes found success at Feather River Junior College where he went 14-1 with a 2.92 ERA in 129 2/3 innings and struck out 162 over his two seasons there. He also held a 1.20 WHIP over two seasons there. This year at Oregon State he finished with a 1.93 ERA over 32 2/3 innings and punched out 47 for the Beavers. 

1B Mason Guerra, Westview HS (OR) / Oregon State University
Former #1 prospect in Oregon out of Westview. Guerra slugged 11 HR this past spring to go with 13 2Bs. Defensively he plays a strong 1B which enhances his overall profile. 

INF Elijah Hainline, Mead HS (WA) / Oregon State University
A smooth defender with pop in the bat. Hainline hit 16 2Bs this season to go with 11 HR and went 6-6 in SB attempts. Has an intriguing offensive profile with the skills to handle multiple INF spots

OF AJ Guerrero, Fife HS (WA) / Washington
One of the better pure hitters to come out of the Washington HS ranks in the last few years. Batted .303 this season with 9 2B and 15 HR

SS Cam Clayton, Lakeridge HS (OR) / Washington
An athletic defender at SS, Clayton surged onto the scene with a strong Freshman campaign with a solid collection of tools. Hit .270 this spring with 9 2B, 2 3B and 7 HR. 

LHP Sam Boyle, Columbia River HS (WA) / Washington
You can always bank on college LHP coming off the board at some point in the draft. Boyle could potentially fit that need after accumulating 42.1 IP in relief with a 3.40 era and .218 opponents avg. 

RHP/DH Max Debiec, O'Dea HS (WA) '19/Folsom Lake College
Debiec had a big season at the plate for the Dirtybirds. He finished with a .449 AVG, .500 OBP, and a .775 SLG with 17 doubles, 4 triples, and 12 home runs. He also had 77 RBIs and 48 R. Debiec pitched 37 1/3 innings with 11.33 K/9 clip. He received recognition after the season, winning Big 8 Player of the Year, 1st Team All State, CCCBCA NorCal POY, 1st Team All-American, and Pacific Athletic Division Player of the Year. Michigan commit.